Back on Board: NYC DOT and NYCEDC Announce Concessions Will Return to the Staten Island Ferry in the Next Two Months

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December 2, 2024
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Back on Board: NYC DOT and NYCEDC Announce Concessions Will Return to the Staten Island Ferry in the Next Two Months

Dunkin Selected as the Concessionaire, Marking the First Time Concessions Will Be Available on the Ferries Since the Onset of the Pandemic

NEW YORK - New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball today announced that concessions will return to the Staten Island Ferry in the next two months and that Dunkin has been selected as the concessionaire. This will mark the first-time refreshments have been offered on the ferryboats since before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dunkin will offer the variety of coffee and donuts that it is famous for worldwide. With this procurement allowing for alcohol to be sold on the ferryboats, Dunkin is pursuing all permitting necessary to sell beer. Dunkin was selected via a competitive process launched by a Request for Proposal announced in January.

"The Staten Island Ferry is the busiest municipal ferry service in the country, and we are pleased that riders will soon be able to enjoy concessions once again," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "The Staten Island Ferry is an iconic part of the fabric of our city and we look forward to offering its millions of riders food and beverages."

"The Staten Island Ferry serves thousands of New Yorkers and visitors every day, and NYCEDC is thrilled to bring concessions back on board to enhance the experience for all riders," said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. "NYCEDC is grateful to our partners at the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and look forward to New Yorkers purchasing food and drinks onboard the ferry once again."

Dunkin will likely initially operate concession stands inside two ferryboats from the Staten Island Ferry's newest class, the Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis and the Dorothy Day. Dunkin concessions will later be added to additional ferryboats in the fleet.

Under a lease reached with the city, the concessionaire will begin operations within 60 days of its lease signing on November 20. The Staten Island Ferry is the busiest municipal ferry service in the country, with approximately 45,000 passengers on an average weekday and over 15 million annual riders.

The agreement announced today is for a period of 10 years, with the option for NYCEDC to extend the lease for two additional five-year periods, for a total of 20 years. NYCEDC judged the respondents to the RFP based on several criteria, including their experience in the field; their financial capacity to take on the lease agreement; and the types of products and services they plan to offer.

"Thank you to everyone who worked towards the return of concessions on the Staten Island Ferry," said New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. "Every Staten Islander deserves these small but meaningful improvements, and I'm thrilled to see this amenity restored for our community."

"This is a welcome and long-overdue improvement for the Staten Island Ferry, which is a lifeline for thousands of commuters and visitors every day," said Assemblymember Charles D. Fall. "I applaud NYC DOT and NYCEDC for recognizing the importance of this service and taking meaningful steps to better serve our borough."

"I'm thrilled that concessions are returning to the Staten Island Ferry, enhancing the experience for the thousands of riders who rely on this iconic service daily," said Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo. "The addition of Dunkin is a welcome improvement, and I applaud NYC DOT and NYCEDC for bringing this long-awaited convenience back to Staten Island commuters."

"We are pleased that the concession is returning after many years of staying vacant," said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. "We believe the concession is a nice convenience for ferry riders."

"The return of concessions to the Staten Island Ferry has been long awaited, and I could not be happier for our borough's commuters that they will now have a delicious option while they take the ride over to Manhattan in the morning," said Councilmember David Carr. "I want to thank DOT, EDC, and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella for making this happen."

"The Staten Island Ferry is a lifeline for thousands of my constituents and millions of visitors each year, and the return of concessions is a much-anticipated improvement for the rider experience," said Councilmember Kamillah Hanks. "During the May 8th hearing, I asked pointed questions about the timeline for restoring these services, emphasizing the need for quality options that reflect the significance of this iconic transit link. I'm pleased to see that a trusted and recognizable brand has been selected to bring refreshments back onboard. I'm glad to see Commissioner Rodriguez and the mayor fulfill their promise to deliver this before the end of the year and with quality. This is a win for Staten Island commuters and a step toward making ferry travel more convenient and enjoyable for everyone."

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